Meet the artist behind West Allis’ newest mural inspired by the Milwaukee Brewers’ City Connect campaign

WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) — A blank wall on the side of Slingshot Bar in West Allis is now a vibrant, colorful celebration of baseball, Milwaukee pride, and community spirit.

Artist Michael Cerda, whose work can be found throughout southeastern Wisconsin, was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers to paint the piece inspired by the team’s City Connect campaign.

But while the mural serves as a new visual landmark for baseball fans, it also represents a personal milestone for the man behind the vision.

“I grew up going to the games and just now working with the Brewers is a dream come true,” Cerda told CBS 58’s Ellie Nakamoto-White.

The mural is called “The Launch” and features the City Connect initiative’s color scheme and “Wisco” branding, complete with a bobber and a slingshot as a nod to the local business that now houses the piece.

“I think muralists kind of offer something to the community because instead of painting in a sketchbook or on a canvas, you’re offering something that the public could share and see,” Cerda said. “I find a lot of pride and joy in that, being able to put in hours and paint something on a wall to then share it with people who are walking by and driving by; I think that’s incredibly rewarding. I want them to look at it and be proud of the team and be proud of the city and just know we’re bringing some color to the city.”

His passion for art began as a child.

"Every kid has something they're naturally good at," Cerda said. "Mine was just art, and I gravitated to it.”

He started with drawing and doodling, which turned into cartooning, airbrushing, some graphic design, and finally sign painting.

“I was addicted, and I just couldn’t not not do it,” Cerda recalled. “It gave me the confidence to approach a wall and know I could do something cool with it.”

With “The Launch”, Cerda spent days working on planning, outlining, and finally painting and spray-painting to make sure the piece looked “like a sticker on the wall.”

“It can’t be too perfect because it’s done by hand, so once people understand it’s done by a human, then you’re kind of more forgiving, and you’re like, wow, that’s actually kind of cool that it’s not perfect,” Cerda said.

And after several days, the community gathered for an official unveiling complete with giveaways, family-friendly activities, and appearances from Brewers favorites Bernie Brewer and Barrelman.

"It's an excellent display of artistry and local community,” said West Allis Mayor Dan Devine. "The Milwaukee Brewers brand is not just Milwaukee, it goes statewide, and it goes Midwest, and it goes beyond.”

Marla Poytinger, CEO of Bars and Recreation, said the mural is now a point of pride for the area.

"What makes this mural so special is that the colors, movement, and spirit of this piece perfectly capture the spirit of the Brewers City Connect campaign while also reflecting the energy of Slingshot Bar and the people of West Allis,” Poytinger said.

The mural also serves as the launch for the Wisco Connect pop-up series, where several cities in Wisconsin will also receive murals, art, and community experiences in the spirit of connecting people through baseball.

"Very proud of it. On a scale of one to 10, 11,” Cerda said. "Again, I spend hours and days working on something, seeing it in the end is extremely rewarding, and it just makes it all worth it.”